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Adventures in Patagonia and Iguazu Falls

On this trip through Argentina and Chile we discover the captivating city of Buenos Aires, explore the towering granite pinnacles of Torres Del Paine National Park and admire views of the awe-inspiring Perito Moreno Glacier. Along the way we visit Ushuaia - the world's southernmost city, and enjoy walks through the spectacular scenery of Los Glaciares National Park.

Itinerary

1

Join tour in Buenos Aires

Join tour Buenos Aires and check-in to our hotel. Here we find ourselves in the midst of Argentina's vibrant capital, located on the southern shores of the Rio de la Plata.
Since its founding by Pedro de Mendoza in 1536 the city has thrived on trade and its vibrant streets are filled with an eclectic mix of European architectural styles, with
Spanish, French and Italian classicism rubbing shoulders with remnants of Victorian grandeur. Gaining independence from its Spanish overlords in 1816 the city grew to
rival the great cities of Europe, its wide avenues and elegant squares earning it the title of the Paris of the South.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
None

2

In Buenos Aires; tour of the Argentinian capital

Today we will take a tour of the city, exploring the major landmarks around the Plaza de Mayo, site of the famous mass demonstrations by supporters of Juan Domingo Peron in 1945, organised by his wife Eva. We'll also visit the elaborate mausoleums of the famous Recoleta Cemetary, the final resting place of some of Argentina's most revered figures, including Eva Peron herself. Our tour will also takes us via Palermo Park and the colourful vibrancy of La Caminito in the La Boca district of the city. Settled originally by Italian migrants, the area is famed for its colourful houses and lively street performers. You can even come across the tango being performed on some street corners,
highlighting the city's connection with this most Latin of dances. This evening we have an opportunity to enjoy something of Buenos Aires' dazzling nightlife and soak
up the pulsating rhythms of one of South America's most captivating cities.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

3

Fly to Ushuaia; free afternoon to explore

Today we transfer to the airport for the flight to Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, spectacularly located on the Island of Tierra del Fuego at the very tip of the South American continent. Beyond this remote port lies the Beagle Channel and then the open waters of The Drake Passage, where the deep rich waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans converge amidst some of the most challenging seas on earth. This afternoon is free, flight time permitting, to explore this remarkable city at the end of the earth. You might like to visit the Maritime Museum, housed in what was once the prison, to learn a little something about the harsh realities of life on these unforgiving oceans, or even take a half day trip out into the Beagle Channel itself to experience a little something of the power and majesty of these southern oceans. A trip to the nearby Glacier Martial affords some superb views out across the Beagle Channel to the Chilean islands beyond (weather permitting). NB - depending on the flight times to Ushuaia breakfast will be taken either at the hotel in Buenos Aires or in flight.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

4

Walks in Tierra del Fuego National Park

Tierra del Fuego translates as the Land of Fires and today we have time to explore the nearby national park. Separated from Patagonia by the waters of the Magellan Strait, Tierra del Fuego is a landscape of lakes, forest and tundra, set beneath an imposing backdrop of ragged mountain peaks. We aim to walk some of the coastal paths today, taking in the expansive views and hopefully coming across some of the abundant wildlife in the area. These peaks and valleys, filled with Lenga and Guindo trees, provide a rich haven for Patagonian grey foxes and condors and, as we follow the Sendero Bahia trail towards our lunch stop, we will hopefully catch sight of some of the region's indigenous fauna. After lunch we will take time to walk along some of the Hito trail before driving back to Ushuaia later this afternoon.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

5

Bus and ferry to Punta Arenas

After breakfast this morning we depart by public bus and spend our day travelling across Tierra del Fuego, crossing the Magellan Strait by ferry and entering Chile, to complete our journey to Punta Arenas later this afternoon. One of the largest maritime settlements in the region and the first Chilean settlement along the waters of the Magellan Strait, Punta Arenas was founded in the mid 19th century, beginning its life as a penal colony and growing rich on sheep ranching and (before the opening of the Panama Canal) the vital facilities that it offered to shipping traversing the dangerous routes through the southern oceans. Spending time here should give us an opportunity to soak up something of the unique atmosphere of this colonial outpost at the edge of the world, enjoying some local specialities, such as king crab, and perhaps sampling some of the excellent Chilean wines before retiring for the evening.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

6

Drive to Torres del Paine National Park

A landscape of rugged mountains, turquoise coloured glacial lakes and spectacular wildlife, the majestic vistas of Chilean Patagonia are some of the most scenic and environmentally diverse regions on the planet. Travelling north across the Patagonian steppe, with it's desolate rolling plains and views of the peaks of the Cordillera in the distance, we head first for the city of Puerto Natales, our gateway into the sumptuous landscapes of the Torres del Paine National Park. Founded in 1911 this southerly coastal town is a shipping port and a transport hub for almost everyone heading for the Paine Park and in fine weather the cafes are filled with travellers and crowds gathering for the big event - the arrival of the Navimag boat from Puerto Montt. After a brief stop in the town we continue towards the magnificent landscapes of the park, surely one of the most beautiful natural vistas on earth and a place once described by Alberto de Agostini as one of the most spectacular sights that the human imagination can conceive. Blessed with an abundance of natural wonders, the 934 square miles of land was turned into national park in 1959 and takes its name from the Tehuelche Indian word payne
meaning blue, apt acknowledgment of the striking turquoise lakes that abound in this astonishing place. Our dramatic drive takes us via the Milodon Cave to our accommodation in Torres del Paine.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

7

Discover Torres del Paine National Park on foot

Torres del Paine is a stunningly beautiful national park, lying amidst a region of ice-capped peaks, silent blue glacial lakes and wild hill country. Home to a wide variety flora and fauna, it is not unusual to see large numbers of guanacos here, as well as black-necked swans, upland geese, pink flamingos and the odd grey fox snooping around the human food areas looking for an easy meal. We may even be fortunate enough to spot condors, or even the elusive puma, larger here than in any other place in the Andes. Our first full day here affords us an opportunity to hike out to view the Torres, imposing pinnacles of sharp granite that are surrounded by glacial lakes and craggy ranges that formed millions of years ago (approx. 18km). Reaching over 2600 metres these towers are just part of an impressive range of some 15 peaks rising above 2000 metres, the highest of which is the Cerro Paine Grande, presenting us with one of the most breath taking mountain vistas on the planet. This is a place to keep an eye out for condors, rheas and guanacos.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

8

In Torres del Paine National Park; optional boat trip

Our second day offers us the opportunity to take an optional boat trip out onto the waters of one of the largest lakes in the park, Lago Grey, where icebergs calved from a huge glacier float down towards the beach to be transformed into bizarre formations of incredible bluehued majesty by the wind and water. We will also have an opportunity on our second day to enjoy some shorter walks for some breath taking views across the landscape.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

9

Travel to El Chalten

After breakfast we depart for the Argentinean border at Cerro Castillo, crossing the vastness of an empty, treeless plateau, where the only signs of life are the occasional estancia sheltering behind a windbreak of rare trees. Our destination is the town of El Calafate on the southern shores of Lago Argentino, an unassuming little community that has been declared the national capital of the glacier region and provides us with an excellent base from which to explore Los Galciares National Park and in particular the immense grandeur of the Perito Moreno Glacier.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

10

Optional walks in the El Chalten area

Over the next day and a half we have the opportunity to explore the stunning Fitzroy Massif. Today you may choose to take the option to set out with a local guide, weather permitting, to cover the distance to the base of Fitzroy Mountain, whose unmistakable summit is almost permanently covered in cloud, a phenomenon that was believed to be smoke by the indigenous Tehuelche who named it Chalten (Smokey mountain). The mountain reaches a height of some 3405m and its forests and slopes are home to a unique array of wildlife, including the elusive huemel, a small deer and the majestic (and far from small) condor, one of the largest land birds on the planet. The scale and grandeur of this setting, where the glaciers seem to hang suspended between the jagged peaks, makes this walk a truly rewarding excursion and the return journey will take us some 7-8 hours (approx. 21km). Or you may take a guided walk to Laguna Torre where along the way we will have views of the magnificent Cerro Torre and Cordon Torre a 6-7 hour return walk (approx. 18km). Please note both of these walks are moderate to challenging due to the distance covered and the type of terrain, there are other shorter walks available on self-guided trails should you prefer or you may take the time instead to relax around the town of Chalten and its stunning surrounds.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

11

In El Chalten; optional glacier trek

We return to the mountains today and drive north, past the turquoise waters of Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma to El Chalten, lying at the confluence of the De las Vueltas and Fitzroy Rivers in Los Glaciares National Park. After a chance to check into our hotel and relax there will be the option this afternoon to stretch our legs with a walk up to Chorillo de Salto, taking in the beauty of the town's surroundings, a natural setting that benefits form being a transition area from the barren Patagonian steppe to the lush grandeur of sub Antarctic forest, all set before the imposing backdrop of the granite pillars of the Torres and Fitzroy Mountains.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

12

Transfer to El Calafate, walk in petrified forest

Over the next day and a half we have the opportunity to explore the stunning Fitzroy Massif. Today you may choose to take the option to set out with a local guide, weather permitting, to cover the distance to the base of Fitzroy Mountain, whose unmistakable summit is almost permanently covered in cloud, a phenomenon that was believed to be smoke by the indigenous Tehuelche who named it Chalten (smokey mountain). The mountain reaches a height of some 3405m and its forests and slopes are home to a unique array of wildlife, including the elusive huemel, a small deer and the majestic (and far from small) condor, one of the largest land birds on the planet. The scale and grandeur of this setting, where the glaciers seem to hang suspended between the jagged peaks, makes this walk a truly rewarding excursion and the return journey will take us some 7-8 hours. Or you may take a guided walk to Laguna Torre where along the way we will have views of the magnificent Cerro Torre and Cordon Torre. (6-7 hour return walk). Please note both of these walks are moderate to challenging due to the distance covered and the type of terrain, there are other shorter walks available on self guided trails shoud you prefer or you may take the time instead to relax around the town of Chalten and its stunning surrounds.

Overnight: Standard Hotel

Included Meals:
Breakfast

13

Visit Perito Moreno Glacier, fly to Buenos Aires

This morning we continue our exploration of the area with our chosen hiking trails before returning by bus to El Calafate and flying back to Buenos Aires.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

14

Fly to Puerto Iguazu, view Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian side

Driving back to the airport you will fly (unescorted) to Puerto Iguazú (Argentina), where you will be met by a local guide. During your time here you will get the chance to visit the Brazilian and Argentinean sides of the falls, to witness for yourselves what are arguably the most beautiful waterfalls on the planet. Set amidst the lush landscapes of the Parque Nacional do Iguazú Reserve, the falls are one of nature's true masterpieces, a spectacular cascade of some 275 interconnecting falls that hurtle over high cliffs into a marvellous curved amphitheatre- a breathtaking sight that extends 3km across the Rio Iguazú. Viewed from the Brazilian side the Falls present themselves in all their majestic and powerful glory and the noise is tremendous, with huge clouds of soaking mist being churned up by the cascade. The national park was declared a World Heritage Site in 1986 and its trails are a paradise for nature lovers, the surrounding spray-soaked forest providing a rich haven for some spectacular flora and fauna, with over 2,000 plant species and over 400 different types of birds being recorded here, as well as countless mammals, insects and reptiles. The canopy meanwhile is alive with a rich array of brightly plumaged toucans, parrots, humming birds and colourful butterflies, whilst the forest floor boasts jaguars, mountain lions, tapirs and capuchin monkeys. Please note while staying in Iguazu transfers are not in a private vehicle but may be shared with others.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

15

Discover the falls from the Argentinean side

From the Argentinean side of the Falls you can see an altogether more extensive view of this incredible cascade, with the added bonus of generally fewer tourists. A walk to the churning caldron of the Garganta del Diablo (the Devil's Throat) presents you with possibly the most powerful waterfall on the planet, where a series of 14 separate falls merge into one, to produce a spectacular torrent. T

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

16

Return to Buenos Aires by flight

There are a number of optional excursions are also available today, including a train ride through the forest, watching out for toucans and colourful butterflies along the way, or raft along the creek in search of some of the more elusive wildlife, whilst further exploration of the jungle interior can be carried out courtesy of robust army trucks that bounce along the rough tracks through the forest. More genteel alternatives are provided by a visit to the spectacular Itaipu Dam, the largest hydroelectric plant in the world, with an 8km long dam and a reservoir that covers 1400 square kilometres and whose output supplies some 80% of Paraguay's electricity and 25% of Brazil's. Later today you will transfer to the airport for flight back to Buenos Aires. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel by an English speaking guide.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

17

Tour ends Buenos Aires

Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the Adventures In Patagonia + Iguazu Extension tour available at present.